Kalgoorlie Cup meets Queen
The Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club views the change of dates for the Kalgoorlie Cup as an oppor- tunity to reinvigorate one of WA's most iconic sporting events.
From next year, the $150,000 Kalgoorlie Cup (2300m) will be run on the Sunday of the Queen's Birthday long weekend.
This year's round will keep its traditional dates, with the $110,000 Boulder Cup (2100m) on September 14, the $130,000 Hannan's Handicap (1400m) three days later and the Kalgoorlie Cup (2300m) run concurrently with the Belmont Park meeting on Saturday, September 20.
Next year the Boulder Cup will be on Sunday, September 20, followed by the Hannan's on the Thursday and the Kalgoorlie Cup on Sunday, September 27.
The switch came after several months of talks between Racing and Wagering WA and the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club.
It follows a three-year trial where the Kalgoorlie Cup was held as a stand-alone Saturday meeting. The weekly Belmont Park fixture was switched to the Sunday.
The new format will be trialled for three years.
KBRC chief executive Tim Beaver believes the later spring round will give the club the opportunity to promote the round to a new generation.
"This gives us the chance to reinvent the round," Beaver said.
"Race clubs are all suffering from a downturn in their patronage and this is a great opportunity to attract more people to our races.
"The one-week shift will ensure better weather and there will be a big difference in the grass track. It gives us the launching pad to put together ideas as far as marketing goes and relaunch the round.
"The long weekend is an opportunity for the racing tourists to drive up from Perth for the cup because they have the Monday to go back home.
"It was the KBRC board's decision and RWWA want the best outcome for the club."
·Racing at Pinjarra will alternate on a fortnightly basis with Northam throughout winter under a new RWWA strategy.
Drainage work to the 1000m chute and straight will be done on the Pinjarra track to guarantee this year's schedule.
At the end of winter, Pinjarra will close until mid-December, with the Northam season extending into early summer.
Three Northam meetings - July 3, 17 and 31 - have been transferred to Pinjarra. Did you know? 27 Next year's Kalgoorlie Cup will be run on September 27 - the Queen's Birthday long weekend
